This workshop brought graduate students and post-doctoral fellows interested in an academic career together with geoscience faculty members from different institutional settings who have a range of expertise and experience. The workshop provided a stimulating and resource-rich environment in which to explore important facets of an academic career. Three main goals of the workshop were for participants to become more effective teachers, stronger candidates for academic jobs, and better prepared for a quick start to teaching and research in the next stage of their career.

During the workshop, each participant

Learned about the roles and responsibilities of faculty members in different educational settings (e.g., two-year colleges, four-year colleges, universities) and positions in other academic institutions (e.g., museums).

Explored aspects of effective and innovative teaching.

Designed a research plan suitable for the next career stage.

Learned about strategies for documenting strengths and accomplishments in teaching and research and develop or revise supporting materials.

Learned more about the job search process.

Met informally with other participants and with workshop leaders from a range of educational settings.

Developed a self-inventory of preferred options for the next career stage and a personal action plan.

Workshop participants cite the ample opportunity for interactions with peers and leaders as a highlight of the workshop. Photo by Carol Ormand, courtesy of Carol Ormand.

Activities

The workshop included faculty panels on academic careers and the academic job search, short presentations on various topics, structured discussions, small-group collaboration, and informal interaction and conversation. Participants left with a broad understanding of academic options, specific strategies for developing as teachers and scholars and for meeting competing demands, and an expanded network of colleagues. Participants participated in electronic discussion and preparation prior to the workshop to become familiar with key issues and concepts and will follow-through with post-workshop plans.

Dates

The workshop began at 6:00 pm on Thursday, July 27, and concluded after dinner on Saturday, July 29. Optional workshops were offered in the morning of Sunday, July 26 (9:00 am - noon).

Application

Online applications were due by March 17. (An important part of each application is a statement of endorsement from a faculty member. Please arrange to have this endorsement submitted using the on-line form no later than March 17. It is important that the email address in the application match that in endorsement.)

Selection Criteria and Cost

The workshop size is limited. The final set of participants was established with a goal of assembling a diverse and interactive group representing a range of experiences, educational environments, career aspirations, and specialties. Preference was given to those entering or soon to enter the academic job market.

The operational costs of the workshop as well as room, board, and workshop materials were covered by a grant from the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE-0127310). Participants or their home institutions provided transportation to and from the workshop. In cases of unusual hardship, we were able to offer a few small stipends to help defray travel costs.

The workshop was held at Stanford University. Participants were housed in single rooms in dormitories on campus and ate meals on campus. Meal and lodging support began Thursday evening, July 27 and ended Sunday morning, July 30. Persons arriving earlier or staying later made their own arrangements.

Provenance: Sean Fox, Carleton CollegeReuse: This item is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ You may reuse this item for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide attribution and offer any derivative works under a similar license.

Provenance: GSAReuse: If you wish to use this item outside this site in ways that exceed fair use (see http://fairuse.stanford.edu/) you must seek permission from its creator.

GSA supports On the Cutting Edge

The mission of The Geological Society of America is to advance geoscience research and discovery, service to society, stewardship of Earth, and the geosciences profession. We support geoscience education at every level. Join us at http://www.geosociety.org/

Provenance: NAGTReuse: This item is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ You may reuse this item for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide attribution and offer any derivative works under a similar license.

Value this site? Help us ensure its future.

The On the Cutting Edge website and workshop program are supported by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). Join today and your membership will help ensure that this site can continue to serve geoscience educators. Join NAGT today

Provenance: NAGTReuse: This item is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ You may reuse this item for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide attribution and offer any derivative works under a similar license.

Your NAGT membership helps make this site
possible. Thank you!

The On the Cutting Edge website and workshop program are supported by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). Your membership is helping to ensure that this site can continue to serve geoscience educators.